Continuous Glucose Monitors

[damianpowell]

Hi,

Does anybody know if it's possible to get a Continuous Glucose MONITOR (i.e. not a pump) in the UK? If so, where from, how much, and do I need a prescription? I'm particularly interested in Medtronic's Guardian REAL-time but although Medtronic's UK website has details of the product, it doesn't say anything about a UK distributor or costs.

Thanks in advance.


TTFN,
Damian.

 

[crafteclaire]

Hi there,

Does anyone have any more up to date information on this machine? I am an insulin pump user and am struggling to keep control at the moment. Something which records trends like this monitor appears to do would be a huge help. The only info I can find online seems to be USA based. Is this availablein the UK on prescription yet, or do we have to pay for it?? Please PM me Thanks

 

[crafteclaire]

I have searched high and low on the internet about the Guardian RT Continuous Glucose monitor. Having found nothing, I'm going to ring Medtronic tomorrow on 01923 212213, to see if they can give any information about availablity.

I'm posting their phone number here for anyone else who really wants to find out more. If there are any other types of this type of equipment available, please let me know.

Cheers,

Claire

 

[damianpowell]

Nice one, Claire. Please let us know what you find out.

 

[crafteclaire]

Right. I made a call to Medtronic this morning and there is a glimmer of hope out there. You can buy a Guardian RT with 10 sensors (which will last 1 month) for :shock: £2,600.00. :shock: The sensors then cost in the region of :shock: :shock: £325 :shock: :shock: per month thereafter. (The monthly cost is approximate - I didn't write this bit down so it might be a bit more/less but it was definitely £300 and something!!!)

The lady I spoke to said you can buy one yourself or your hospital can buy one for you, so my plan is to wait until the end of this month when I go for my check up and see if they have any sort of scheme availabe before looking into shelling out a heckof a lot of cash.

If anyone out there knows of a different make or of an alternative funding method, please let me know.

Cheers

 

[iHs]

Hi

Abbott Medisense have also got the Navigator now in the UK. I'm not sure but I think it might be a tiny bit better than the Guardian although the sensor looks like something similar to a mobile phone battery. I think the Navigator will also tell you what your bg is as a figure and also by up and down trend arrows, so ppl will have a choice. I would imagine that the Navigator will most likely be featured in the next copy of Balance magazine. I think its about £900 to buy at the moment and each sensor lasts for 5 days. Cannot remember now how much a box of 6 sensors is but I think its something like £300 :roll:

 

[crafteclaire]

It all sounds extremely expensive to me. I'm going to keep battling on with my pin pricked finger tips and wait until I see the diabetic specialist at the end of September. Who knows - they might even give me a nice new pump which has one built in :mrgreen: